Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Predictably, the supporters and candidates of Nacionalista Party (NP) president Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar came to his defense, blasting the Senate committee of the whole’s report, signed by 12 senators, censuring Villar for the many anomalies and “pecuniary benefits” he and his corporations enjoyed to the detriment of the Filipino people, in relation to the C-5 road project, whose alterations from the original project, by virtue of Villar’s position and power, dunned the Filipino people of P6.22 billion.

“It is all about politics, and lies,” the NP candidates and supporters claimed. Sen. Miriam Santiago, an NP senatorial bet, was.... MORE

The Judicial Bar and Council (JBC) has decided to open the nominations for the post of the chief justice (CJ), in preparation for the retirement of Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who is set to leave the high court by May 17.

That should end the arguments and demands from several sectors for the JBC not to come up with a list this early, to deny Gloria Arroyo the opportunity to appoint the next CJ.... MORE

By any name, a midnight appointment

Hearing and reading all the justifications being offered in support of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s plan to appoint a successor to Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice (CJ) Reynato Puno before his May 17 retirement, I am reminded of what the Bard of Avon said about roses. A rose by any other name is still a rose, wrote William Shakespeare about what is arguably the world’s best-loved flower.

I was reminded of Shakespeare’s declaration because Ms. Arroyo’s lackeys are calling her plan.... MORE

The Senate committee of the whole found Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. guilty of improper and unethical conduct in using his position to pressure the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and allocate funds in the budget to reroute the C-5 bypass road to pass through his properties and subdivisions. The Senate report signed by 12 senators asked Villar to refund P6.2 billion to the National Treasury.

The report said Villar violated Section 14, Article VI, of the Constitution for intervening in the project of the DPWH for his “pecuniary benefit.”.... MORE